Replacement hoses produced on site
November 1st 2007 Expensive downtime caused by hydraulic hose failures at Caterpillar's articulated truck manufacturing plant in Peterlee has been dramatically reduced by a straightforward, cost-effective solution implemented by Wyko, an Eriks company. Instead of relying on mobile hose replacement services, Caterpillar now produces replacement hoses on site. Hoses are available within minutes of the need arising and the company says that in the year since the change was made, savings of Ł144 000 have been achieved. Wyko supplied Caterpillar with a crimping machine, along with a carefully structured stock of hose and couplings. This enables the Caterpillar maintenance team to quickly produce almost any type of hose assemblies on site. Crimping machine, hose and couplings were chosen from the range offered by Gates Hydraulics, for whom Wyko is a major distributor. Wyko also arranged for Gates Hydraulic to provide Caterpillar staff with training in production of hose assemblies, essential as assemblies work at very high pressures, and the correct procedures must be used during their production to ensure they will operate safely. More articles from ERIKS UK: | 
